TN: Why the eff is “Juno” in this category? Sure, the movie was cute as a baby seal, but in no way is it the “cheese” to the Academy’s “macaroni.” My vote will have to go to “Atonement” because we all know how much the Academy loves a good period romance.

JH: Ignore my colleague and her rants against the inclusion of “Juno” in this category. Just because a film isn’t all dark and dreary doesn’t mean it’s not the best film of the year. In fact I’d go so far as to argue that the Oscars would actually improve if they began to expand from their usual fare and select more comedy and genre pieces. The fact that “Juno” did make it this year gives me hope for the future.

All that being said, “There Will Be Blood” will wallop the field and take the victory lap.

ML: “No Country for Men” will have no problem in this category. The Coen brothers know what they are doing when they invest in a project and they show their ever-developing talents with this masterful take on a Cormac McCarthy’s novel. I appreciate that their grasp of humor didn’t weaken in this intense thriller.

Fingers crossed, though, that we see a crashing upset like in 2006 when front-runner “Brokeback Mountain” was bested by the diversity-driven underdog, “Crash.” I’ll just root for “Juno” alone from my couch perch.

MF: Without a doubt, Best Picture will be given to “There Will Be Blood.” Daniel Day-Lewis’ presence alone makes it Academy Award worthy. Plus, this film has everything this country is about — oil, religious fundamentalism and manipulating small-town folk. Add to that a soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood and you have one of the best movies that’s come out in years.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

TN: While Johnny Depp would be the obvious choice for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (he sang, he killed, he rocked), I’m going to go with Tommy Lee Jones in “In The Valley of Elah.” The film’s themes regarding the war with Iraq will strike a chord with the Academy’s younger voters. Its Vietnam War ties will secure a vote with the older crowd as well.

JH: The statue is completely Daniel Day-Lewis’ to lose. His performance as an oil baron will probably be talked about for years. He’s probably the closest to a mortal lock there is this year.

Despite that, I’m going to be hoping Viggo Mortensen pulls the upset. He’s been doing fairly stunning work since hanging up his sword, and I know a win would help propel him to the higher levels of stardom where he belongs.

ML: Although it pains me to endorse a former “man in black” (galaxy defender!), I think the Oscar will land in the hands of Tommy Lee Jones. After all, these are the same hands that played a role in both “In the Valley of Elah” and “No Country for Old Men,” both powerhouse Oscar contenders. The other men will be featured in this category again; their turn with Oscar will shine later.

MF: I’m going out on a limb here and saying a write-in will win in the best actor category. Do the Oscars even allow write-in votes? It doesn’t matter, the monster from “Cloverfield” will somehow come out on top in this category.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

TN: Sorry Ellen Page, not this time. I’m giving my vote to Julie Christie for her portrayal of an Alzheimer’s patient in the film “Away From Her.” Christie won the award in 1966 for the film “Darling,” so a throwback to a long-time actress will show the Academy’s old-school style.

JH: I found Ellen Page annoying the first time I saw her in the first season of “ReGenesis.” Her performance in “Juno” was so good it made me go back and re-evaluate those episodes, giving me new appreciation for her character in the show. That’s some real acting.

I know Marion Cotillard has the momentum, but given that the brilliance of “Juno” was basically all about Page, I can see the voters deciding that this is the one category to reward the little picture that could.

ML: Cate Blanchett, we know you’re the queen of the period piece, but this won’t be your Oscar year. I mean, your chances are good but Laura Linney will pull ahead as the underdog winner in this role. She has proven herself as a fantastic actress and it’s time she gets recognized for it.

MF: Although my overall feelings about “Juno” are pretty mediocre, I think Ellen Page deserves this award. It’s one of those hip, counterculture, coming-of-age flicks, but Page does a great job. Being over the top works for the character of Juno.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

TN: Flat out, I can’t imagine Ben Affleck’s little brother winning an Academy Award. Therefore, I’m going to go with Javier Bardem for “No Country For Old Men.” A “sociopathic killer on the trail of a young man who has stolen a bag of drug money?” Sounds Oscar-worthy to me!

JH: Javier Bardem scares the crap out of me and I’m afraid he’s going to hunt me down and kill me if I don’t pick him.

ML: Javier Bardem has this thing on lock. He’s earned his place as one of the most memorable villains in cinematic history, the performance that would make even Cruella DeVille shake in her boots. This role and soon-to-be award will open a lot of doors for this very talented actor.

MF: Philip Seymour Hoffman deserves as many awards as he can get. Whether he’s playing an acclaimed writer, a male nurse, a gas-huffing widower or — as in “Charlie Wilson’s War” — a CIA agent, he is at the top of his game.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

TN: There is no doubt in my mind that Cate Blanchett deserves this much more than any other nominee. In “I’m Not There,” she plays the iconic Bob Dylan with precision Dylan himself probably couldn’t recreate. And with Blanchett’s past Oscar experience, she’s a shoo-in.

JH: I’m kind of amazed that Tilda Swinton went from “Constantine” to an Oscar nomination. And she did a pretty good job in “Michael Clayton” as well.

Still, I’ll have to agree that this is Cate Blanchett’s year. The fact that she was able to transform herself into one of the most recognizable musicians of the past 40 years — a male musician, at that — proves that she’s got some serious acting chops.

ML: I didn’t mean to blast Cate Blanchett in my Best Actress rant. No, this is the category under which she will leave victorious. She immersed herself in the role of one of the most cryptic, complex artists and personalities ever — Bob Dylan — yet flashes of her own genius shown through. On a sidenote, Ruby Dee is more than due for a lifetime achievement award rather than a lowly Oscar. Who do I need to call about that?

MF: Cate Blanchett playing Bob Dylan? I’m in! She’s won an Oscar in the past, so you know she’s qualified and is going to be showing up with an acceptance speech ready to go.